Nebraska Natural Legacy Project

04/28/2026

This account is no longer active. Stay connected to the Game and Parks information and updates you love by:

• Following the official Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and Nebraskaland Magazine accounts.
• Visiting our website: OutdoorNebraska.gov/conservation/conservation-efforts/natural-legacy-project/
• Subscribing to our newsletter: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/NEGPC/subscribers/qualify
• Exploring our events calendar: Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov

Thanks for continuing to be a part of our community. We’ll see you on our official channels!

03/12/2026

Save the Date!

The Nebraska Natural Legacy Project, the Nebraska Chapter of The Wildlife Society, and the Nebraska Section Society for Range Management are partnering to host a joint conference bringing together professionals, students, landowners, and conservation partners from across the state.

📆October 27-29, 2026
📍Younes Conference Center South, Kearney, NE

Join us for this collaborative event highlighting the shared goal of conserving Nebraska’s wildlife, rangelands, and natural landscapes through science-based management, stewardship, and partnership.

Stay tuned for more details, registration information, and the call for presentations: https://outdoornebraska.gov/about/press-events/events/natural-legacy-conference/

02/24/2026

Prescribed burns will begin this spring on some Nebraska Game and Parks wildlife management areas, state parks and state recreation areas where weather allows.
Burning allows habitat managers to positively affect more acres. Those burns not completed this spring will be attempted this summer, fall or winter as weather allows.

Burned acres often become more attractive to wildlife species, and for some species, the effect is immediate. The long-term effects on wildlife habitat are much better if prescribed burning is used as a management tool than if habitat is not burned.

Historically, wildlife habitats were shaped by wildfires that occurred throughout the year. Burns help set back undesirable plants that invade native woodlands and prairies, as well as other grass and wooded areas. Eastern red cedar trees, honey locust, buckbrush, sumac, dogwood and other undesirable deciduous trees and shrubs can be managed with the help of burns.

Used in conjunction with grazing, prescribed burning also can set back smooth brome and Kentucky bluegrass, increase diversity in grasslands and improve habitat for wildlife.

📸 Jen Corman, Northern Prairies Land Trust and Nebraska Game and Parks

02/09/2026

Did you know? Nebraskans can be FRIENDS with wildlife by donating a portion of their tax refund to the Nebraska Wildlife Conservation Fund. 😉
Donated funds are used for wildlife projects that help non-game species, such as the Blanding's turtle, monarch butterfly and swift fox. Each dollar donated is matched with other grants, so that $1 donated becomes $4 for helping wildlife.
Learn more about the Nebraska Wildlife Conservation Fund: https://brnw.ch/21wZGKo
📸: Justin Haag, Nebraskaland Magazine, Eric Fowler & Jeff Kurrus

02/04/2026

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (NGPC) is seeking two independent interns to collect data for various pollinator projects, including the Nebraska Bumble Bee Atlas, Nebraska’s Big Butterfly Count, and Monarch & Regal Fritillary Surveys. 🦋
The internship is from May - August 2026 and would require an average dedication of 10 hours per week. The deadline to apply is March 6, 2026. 🐝
Full details on how to apply are posted on OutdoorNebraska.gov/ButterflySurvey under Summer Pollinator Internship. Contact [email protected] for any questions.

01/28/2026

🐍 It’s Rattlesnake Appreciation Day! 🐍
Nebraska is home to three rattlesnake species: the prairie rattlesnake, timber rattlesnake, and massasauga. While often misunderstood, these snakes play an important role in healthy ecosystems by helping control rodent populations and keeping nature in balance.
Rattlesnakes are not aggressive. They rely on camouflage and their signature rattle as a warning rather than an invitation to strike. When given space, they prefer to avoid people altogether.
Today is a great opportunity to learn more about Nebraska’s rattlesnakes, where they live, and how we can safely coexist with them. Respect, awareness, and a little distance help protect both people and wildlife.
Learn more about Nebraska’s snakes:
https://brnw.ch/21wZsT6
📷: Justin Haag, Nebraskaland Magazine | Prairie Rattlesnake

🐍 It’s Rattlesnake Appreciation Day! 🐍

Nebraska is home to three rattlesnake species: the prairie rattlesnake, timber rattlesnake, and massasauga. While often misunderstood, these snakes play an important role in healthy ecosystems by helping control rodent populations and keeping nature in balance.

Rattlesnakes are not aggressive. They rely on camouflage and their signature rattle as a warning rather than an invitation to strike. When given space, they prefer to avoid people altogether.

Today is a great opportunity to learn more about Nebraska’s rattlesnakes, where they live, and how we can safely coexist with them. Respect, awareness, and a little distance help protect both people and wildlife.

Learn more about Nebraska’s snakes:
https://brnw.ch/21wZsT6

📷: Justin Haag, Nebraskaland Magazine | Prairie Rattlesnake

01/26/2026

⏰ Reminder: Deadline approaching!
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is accepting applications to fund research on Nebraska’s at-risk species — but applications are due Jan. 30, 2026.

Through the Nebraska Natural Legacy Research Grants Program, funding is available for researchers, students, and naturalists to help fill knowledge gaps for at-risk species identified in the state’s wildlife action plan.

More than 700 species are identified as Species of Greatest Conservation Need or Species of Greatest Information Need. Proposed research should address questions outlined in the Nebraska Natural Legacy Plan for these plants and animals.

💰 Grant awards range from $1,000–$5,000, with $15,000 total funding available.

👉 Apply or learn more: https://outdoornebraska.gov/.../natural-legacy-project/

01/12/2026

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is accepting applications for proposals to fund research on Nebraska’s at-risk species.

Grant applications are due Jan. 30, 2026.

The Nebraska Natural Legacy Research Grants Program will provide funding for researchers, students and naturalists who gather data that addresses gaps in knowledge about select at-risk species outlined in the state’s wildlife action plan.
More than 700 at-risk species are identified as Species of Greatest Conservation Need or Species of Greatest Information Need. Research should answer questions laid out in the Nebraska Natural Legacy Plan about these plants and animals.

The maximum award is $5,000 and the minimum is $1,000, while the total funding available is $15,000.

To apply or get more information, visit: https://outdoornebraska.gov/conservation/conservation-efforts/natural-legacy-project/

01/07/2026

The 2026 Wildlife Conservation Fund T-Shirt Is Here!
We’re excited to reveal this year’s Wildlife Conservation Fund donor shirt featuring one of Nebraska’s most iconic at-risk species, the Blanding’s turtle (Emydoidea blandingii)!
This illustrated design celebrates Nebraska’s natural legacy and highlights the importance of protecting at-risk wildlife across our state.
When you make a donation of $30 or more to the Nebraska Wildlife Conservation Fund, you will receive an email inviting you to select your free 2026 Blanding’s Turtle T-shirt in your preferred size.
Your donation directly supports on-the-ground conservation projects, habitat restoration, and community science efforts that keep Nebraska’s wildlife thriving.
Support wildlife and wear it proudly!
Donate today at https://outdoornebraska.gov/.../wildlife-conservation-fund/

The 2026 Wildlife Conservation Fund T-Shirt Is Here!

We’re excited to reveal this year’s Wildlife Conservation Fund donor shirt featuring one of Nebraska’s most iconic at-risk species, the Blanding’s turtle (Emydoidea blandingii)!

This illustrated design celebrates Nebraska’s natural legacy and highlights the importance of protecting at-risk wildlife across our state.

When you make a donation of $30 or more to the Nebraska Wildlife Conservation Fund, you will receive an email inviting you to select your free 2026 Blanding’s Turtle T-shirt in your preferred size.

Your donation directly supports on-the-ground conservation projects, habitat restoration, and community science efforts that keep Nebraska’s wildlife thriving.

Support wildlife and wear it proudly!

Donate today at https://outdoornebraska.gov/about/give-back/help-wildlife/wildlife-conservation-fund/